The Best Basins

In the gallery:

1 Falper Shape console basin from Original Bathrooms, £2,883 (020 8940 7554)
2 Tenerife basin from Bauhaus, £180 (0845 873 8840) (MAIN IMAGE)
3 Antilia Wading Pool from Kohler, £865 (0870 850 5551)
4 Alape’s Flat Washbasin, £591 (01992 478109)
5 Laufen’s Palomba basin, from £301 (01386 422768)
6 The Pebble basin from Finwood is hand-carved from a single granite pebble, £450 (01926 484037)
7 Flaminia Plate wall-mounted basin, from £464, from Original Bathrooms (020 8940 7554)
8 CP Hart Colony all-in-one basin and vanity top, around £457 (0845 600 1950)
9 BC Sanitan’s Damea basin, £355 + £160 for pedestal (01782 717175)
10 The Rainbow basin by Capital Marble is made from lymra and travertine, around £850 (020 8968 5340)

A wall-hung basin is the perfect choice for a contemporary bathroom where maximising space is a priority. It can be fixed at any height – ensure it is a comfortable height for the whole family; the average is 71- 81cm – and the pipes are concealed within the wall, which needs to be load-bearing — or you can install a specially constructed stud wall. A sleek bottle trap replaces the U-bend underneath.

Installing your basin into a vanity top is an effective way to include storage space. The basin can be set into the surface with the rim protruding, semi-inset with only the back half of the bowl set into the unit, or sitting completely on top of the counter. Under-mounted basins sit beneath the surface. For the most streamlined look, commission a sleek moulded countertop and integrated basin.

There is no standard measurement for basins, but the average size is around 550 x 400mm. Some luxury models are as large as 1,000 x 500mm, while some space-saving models come in at a tiny 310 x 270mm.

Buying a Basin

It is not necessary to buy a basin as part of a suite; the basin tends to be the bathroom’s focal point so it is vital to choose one that you truly love, either as a statement piece or in complement to items from other ranges. Just make sure that any ‘whites’ are matching.

The basin’s location and bathroom size will determine its size and shape, so measure up the space before buying. There must be enough room around the basin for leaning over it, around the sides and, if you wish, for storage.

Choose your taps at the same time, as many off-the-shelf basins are pre-drilled with tap holes. Some will have a single hole for a mixer tap; others more. Many designer models have none at all for use with wall-mounted taps, or you can specify the holes to be drilled.

Material Matters

Glazed ceramic is still the number one basin material, and for good reason: not only is it very durable, but ceramic basins are a breeze to maintain and are available in every design and colour imaginable. Because they are widely available off the shelf, you can pick up a great-looking model at a reasonable price.

Sleek, contemporary stone is currently very in vogue and has incredible longevity; it is a more expensive option but at the same time is a long-term investment as its looks will improve with age. Alternatively, composites such as Corian offer the look of stone, but can be moulded into shapes and integrated with worktops.

For less conventional tastes, there is a range of unusual materials on offer — at a premium. Concrete brings solidity and industrial chic to a bathroom; it can be cast into shapes, but is tremendously heavy and can be awkward to install.

Wooden basins are perfect for introducing a warm, organic feel, but are high maintenance, with most even needing drying after use.

Metals, from modern shiny stainless steel to rustic copper or brass, have a sense of non-belonging in the bathroom — therein lying the appeal.

Glass is widely available and, though great for enhancing light, sadly many of the  available models, once cutting edge, now look dated.

Advice From the Experts

Sizing up your bathroom

Gary Dart, Managing Director, Duravit UK (0870 730 7787)

“Basin size is always governed by room size, but generally people look for a good size (around 60cm). In order to maximise space in the room consider hanging the door the other way or opening out of the room; a vanity unit under the basin is a must for storage and hiding pipework.”

How much to pay for a basin

Erol Donmez, Managing Director, VitrA UK (01235 750990)

“With basins, you get what you pay for so look for the finishing touches. The price is dependent on the manufacturing process but can cost anything from £50 to £1,000. If it needs complex manufacturing pieces, is oversized or uses glazes that are ‘non-standard’ in colour, this will increase the cost.”

Maintaining Stone Basins

Bill Lancashire, Managing Director, Finwood Designs (01926 484037)

“Solid stone basins usually come sealed, so a proprietary stone cleaner will remove everyday dirt and marks. Most supermarkets sell them although they are more commonly sold for cleaning granite kitchen work surfaces. Ensure the cleanser is PH neutral to avoid damaging the seal.”

Further reading:

• A Guide to Bathroom Wall Tiles
• A Buyer's Guide to Shower Enclosures
• A Complete Guide to Planning Your Bathroom